“Fireproof,” the new action-drama, relationship film from the creators of “Facing the Giants” and “Flywheel,” releases this September from Sherwood Pictures and Provident Films. The producer reports that the movie is already uniting marriage advocates from across the U.S.

National groups such as Focus on the Family, Outreach, FamilyLife, The Marriage CoMission, America's Family Coaches, AMFM, Marriage Alive Communications, and MarriageToday have endorsed the movie and are urging their constituencies to see it. Influencers such as marriage expert Gary Smalley and Bubba Cathy of Chick-fil-A are also working to spread the word.

It's no secret that U.S. marriages are in crisis. The U.S. Census Bureau and marriage organizations vary on the stats but agree that nearly half of all weddings lead to divorce—with rates highest in the Bible belt. Some 25 percent of U.S. adults divorce at least once; and given the abundance of poor marriages, many couples skip it outright.

“Fireproof” mirrors the problems of many marriages, in this case through a firefighter whose high-stress job spills into his home life. Hitting on pain points common to married life—from indifference to insults to emotional affairs and internet porn—the story opens with a couple's disintegration. Sherwood Pictures’ Michael Catt reports:

“Most movies are about relationships that lead to marriage. ‘Fireproof’ picks up seven years into a marriage headed for divorce. And the question is: Can a cold marriage revive? Why stay together?”

Given that firefighters have one of the nation's highest divorce rates, “Fireproof” also has the support of many firefighters and related organizations. John White, former head of the Los Angeles Fire Department's Search & Rescue Team, is urging firefighters across the country to see it.

Bubba Cathy of Chick-fil-A doubles as movie promoter to every audience he addresses:

“Since visiting the ‘Fireproof’ set, I've been Fireproof's biggest fan. On top of a powerful message and the potential to change lives and marriages, this is one great movie!”

People like Bob Waliszewski, director of Focus on the Family's PluggedIn and Scott Evans, founder and CEO of Outreach, Inc., are excited about the movie's potential to inspire people to want to heal their marriages and actually show them how. Waliszewski said:

“The clips have me excited about the potential of this film to give hope to struggling marriages.”

Evans added:

“We all know marriages are in trouble. [What] a powerful and relevant way to address the need and provide hope for healing.”

Dr. Jeff S. Fray, chair of The Marriage CoMission, echoes Evans and Waliszewski

“Fireproof's challenge to ‘never leave your partner behind’ brings to us a dramatic experience of the power of sacrifice and forgiveness. I expect this film to give viewers more confidence that great marriages can be a reality.”

Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife, sees this one movie's impact far beyond weekend movie-going:

“‘Fireproof’ is going to do more than entertain and stir hearts when it comes to movie theaters.”

Executive Producer Jim McBride says on behalf of the filmmakers:

“This movie is about fireproofing your most important earthly relationship. Our hope and prayer is that people will be touched by the story of Caleb and Catherine and commit to fireproofing their marriages—no matter what state those marriages are currently in.”

Sherwood's aim to “reach the world from Albany, GA” rides on first-rate entertainment packing powerful messages. Its first movie, “Flywheel,” explored business integrity. “Facing the Giants” tackled personal fear and failure. Now “Fireproof” asks what makes a true hero.

Featured actors include Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea. The film is directed by Alex Kendrick. The cinematographer is Bob Scott with editing by Bill Ebel.

Official Web site with trailer: FireprooftheMovie.com

Bible study curriculum for people who like movies

Modern Parables, the Bible study curriculum that combines short films of the parables with in-depth Bible teaching, just released all its films and study materials in digital format at modernparable.com. Thomas Purifoy, Jr., producer and director of Modern Parables, explains:

“This is an exciting new approach for us. We are trying to make our products more accessible to those who want them as well as to reach a wider audience.”

Modern Parables (Nashville, Tennessee) is offering its materials in downloadable packages that contain two complete lessons and one bonus lesson. The materials include one parable film, one application video (each taught by a different pastor who explains the parable), a director's commentary, and a combined Student Book/Teacher's Guide. The downloads are available in two resolution levels: DVD-quality ($19.99) and HD-quality ($26.99).

For a limited time, Modern Parables is also offering its six parable films for free download as low resolution versions compatible with Apple iPod/iTunes. These low resolution versions are intended for personal use only and give consumers the ability to watch an entire film before making a purchase. Ian Kern, an Assistant Producer on Modern Parables, mentioned:

“We hope these free downloads lead to a greater familiarity with Modern Parables.”

Modern Parables is a new Bible study that uses film-based modernizations of the parables to teach the Bible. It was produced by Compass Cinema, a Nashville-based production company. Just released at the end of 2007, it has reportedly been adopted by hundreds of churches across the United States and around the world. A number of Christian leaders have endorsed the product including Robert Lewis, Douglas Wilson, and George Grant.

Official Web site: modernparable.com

Gateway Films/Vision Video (Worcester, Pennsylvania) was named the 2007 Freddie Award Winner for Oncology for its DVD, “Reflections on Psalm 23 for People with Cancer.” The DVD was honored at the 2007 International Health & Medical Media Awards, the premiere festival for medical communications in the video field. In addition to winning the Freddie Award, “Reflections on Psalm 23 for People with Cancer” was also recently honored at the 2007 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards Gold Crown Award for the year’s Best Series and the Silver Crown Award for Best Documentary.

“Reflections on Psalm 23 for People with Cancer” came about after Vision Video company president, Dr. Ken Curtis, PhD., was diagnosed five years ago with advanced cancer with only a small prospect of survival. Curtis began a combination of traditional and alternative medicine, surrounded himself with a supportive prayer team, made stringent dietary changes, and drew upon the inspiration of the 23rd Psalm. Curtis says,

“This Psalm has meant so much to me during my ordeal and brought consolation when most needed, and helped me enormously when difficult decisions had to be made.”

Vision reports the DVD has also had a wide and enthusiastic reception by viewers in many countries. Television transmission rights have been extended internationally to England, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Poland and the Arabic speaking world.

Follow-up film now in production: “Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer”

In response to the widespread reception of the “Reflections on Psalm 23…,” Curtis and his production team recently returned to Israel where he completed filming a follow up DVD in High Definition video titled “Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer.” Just as in “Reflections on Psalm 23…,” Curtis felt it important to shoot in historic Biblical locations visiting areas like the Jordan River, Mt. Tabor, Caesarea Philippi, Jericho, Nazareth, the Negev Desert and the Garden of Gethsemane. Filming culminated at the Peter Noster Church in Jerusalem where the courtyard walls uniquely contain tiles of the Lord’s Prayer in 162 languages.

The subtitle for the Lord’s Prayer series is “You Don’t Have to Feel Alone Anymore,” which Curtis explained shows how the prayer provides a security and assurance for people going through a major health crisis such as cancer.

Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer is now in post-production and scheduled for a 2008 release.

Official Web: visionvideo.com

Brian Shoop is on a treasure hunt, but box-office gold is not his goal. Telling a compelling story, rather, is the construction-pro-turned-actor's chief motivation, and he believes his filmmaking debut, “Treasure Blind,” fits the bill.

Shoop, who's played roles in Tulsa-area independent films and the big-screen hit “The Rookie” (2002), is currently looking for a distributor and has just begun entering the festival cicuit. Shoop wrote the script, directed and starred in the independent production, recruiting cast and crew from the Tulsa-area. The film, shot at various sites around Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is the story of the search for a long lost Civil War bounty and an aging cab driver who must confront his troubled past.

Shoop's dream is to present stories of faith on film. Several private investors and volunteers who share his vision signed on to support the 110 minute drama “Treasure Blind,” including many members of his church, Tulsa Bible Church. Shoop and his backers would like to follow the recent lead of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., whose film “Facing the Giants” earned national theatrical distribution. Shoop explains,

“The idea is to present the Gospel, but through an interesting story—no three points and an illustration and then back to the movie.”

“Treasure Blind” is the fledgling effort of Shoop's Newsong Films production company.

Film synopsis

“If veteran Tulsa cabbie Cliff Edwards (Brian Shoop) looked in his life's rearview, he'd see a string of wrecked relationships and missed opportunities. Cliff's not looking back if he can help it, though; the amateur treasure hunter is too busy with his private obsession—trying to track down a legendary stash of Civil War gold. The unexpected arrival of Henry (Daniel Brookshire), the blind grandson Cliff never knew he had, throws a kink in his plans. But the search for the gold brings the mismatched pair together, as Cliff finally begins to learn where his real treasure lies.”

Official Web site with trailer: TreasureBlind.com

Reviewer and pastor Jon Wymer provides his comments on the latest Lionsgate faith-genre DVD:

“Crave” is by no means a typical Christian film. Released on DVD in March 2008, the disc contains three short stories designed to play on humanity’s basic needs: a sense of destiny, a desire for meaning, and a passion for intimacy. The stories are based on the book Soul Cravings, by Erwin Raphael McManus. [more]